A Labyrinthine Life

Category: Food

In direct contrast to my trip to London a couple of days ago, we drove out to the Dengie today. A peninsula on the Essex coast that lies between two rivers, the Blackwater and the Crouch, the Dengie is always breezy, and can be quite bleak in the winter, but today it was mild and…

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We spent our last day in Gotland (last Saturday, but I’ve fallen a bit behind) driving to the southern tip of the island to attend a special event at the Bottarve Farm Museum. In celebration of National Day of Sweden (on 6 June), staff and volunteers dress in traditional dress to serve homemade baked goods and…

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We drove down to Two Tree Island for an evening stroll to take advantage of the warming weather and lengthening days. Hoping to hear the resident nightingales sing their famous song, we were rewarded with both a song and a sighting as we wandered along the track that leads through their territory. Further on, the…

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The rains that were predicted for the weekend never really materialized, so yesterday afternoon we admired the flowers and gardens that are growing and changing day by day as we walked through the village en route to a Very Special Birthday Party. My friend Jasper turned 2 years old and he celebrated by throwing a party for his family…

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England is not known for being a sidewalk culture, but when the weather is nice, we open our windows and get as close to the outdoors as we can, even in the middle of our towns and cities. Perhaps we appreciate the sunshine all the more because of the many grey days we endure throughout…

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Yes, this really is a photo of today’s walk. I meandered through our local neighbourhood en route to meet a friend who very loving hand-carried these chocolate delicacies from Stohrer — la plus ancienne patisserie de Paris last night. I am savouring each little nibble: mocha ganache, nougat, and salted caramel. Merci!

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This little van may not seem very impressive, but great things come out of it. Seriously Great things! Real Mexican food. Burritos, guacamole, carnitas…. in Essex, no less! I may never fully understand how one man in a little turquoise van can turn out authentic delights from a far-off place, but my California heart is…

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There is nothing like a bit of wandering to help you get the measure of a place. I have been wandering around London whenever possible for the past 15 years, a full 25% of my life. While London is only 35 or 40 miles from Thundersley, it feels like a world away, and coming into…

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A lovely walk through Thundersley today, enjoying the early signs of spring that are bursting into gentle glory. Even our table at Pignalis seemed to get into the mood… we lingered so long over cups of herbal tea that we finally ordered lunch as well.

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What am I going to do when our friends go home and my birthday celebrations come to an end? Walking in the world has been quite an adventure these past couple of months, and the excitement isn’t quite over yet. Today we drove out to the Tiptree Jam Factory for their special Afternoon Tea (with…